"Florida's Got the Blues" exhibit opening

Headliner Little Eddie lays down the blues. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Trumpeter Renald Richard, a Marco resident, served as band director for Ray Charles. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Little Eddie is joined by bassist Mike Marciano. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Little Eddie dressed the part, down to his patent leather shoes. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Trumpeter Renald Richard, a Marco resident, served as band director for Ray Charles. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Little Eddie's guitar bears the marks of hard playing. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Little Eddie is joined by trumpeter Renald Richard and bassist Mike Marciano. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Little Eddie, center, is joined by harmonica player Wolfgang Scheelen, trumpeter Renald Richard and bassist Mike Marciano. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Gina Roberts joins in the applause. The Marco Island Historical Museum hosted a reception and musical performance Wednesday evening for the opening of an exhibit on artifacts of the blues in Florida. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent